WICHITA – It was a battle of the bats on the beautiful day for baseball at McCarthy Field on Tuesday evening. The Newman baseball team beat Wasburn, 17-14, and ended the game with 22 hits due in part to five senior Jets hitting .600 or above for the game.

Washburn (8-15) did not hesitate scoring five runs in the first inning. Newman (14-19) tied the game, 5-5 at the conclusion of the first inning. Corey Cowan doubled then scored off a David Longmore single through the right side. The hits continued with Mike Williams hitting a double advancing Longmore to third. With two Jets on base, Ryan Engrav homered over the left field fence. Hitting a ground rule double over left center put Scot Palmer on base for the Jets. Thomas Robulack reached on a fielding error by the Ichabod centerfielder Travis Cruz to score Palmer for the last run of the inning.

The Jets scored one run in the bottom of the second. Williams singled and advanced to second on a fielding error, then proceeded to third on a wild pitch. A single from Palmer brought Williams in for the run.

Scoring three runs off four hits in the third gave the Ichabods the lead, 8-6.

John Bonebrake singled off a bunt to start things off in the bottom of the third. An outfield single from Jacob Gaul moved Bonebrake to third base. A stolen base by Gaul put two Jets in scoring position, but bases were soon loaded after Cowan was hit by a Shawn Moore pitch. Cowan was forced out at second on an Ichabod fielder's choice putting Longmore on first, Gaul on third, and Bonebrake reaching home. Bringing Gaul and Longmore home was Williams with a double through the left side. The next double came from Engrav, bringing Williams in for the run. A home run from Palmer scored two more for Newman. Robulack doubled to left center, and scored off a Brett Delcambre double. The Jets led 13-8 after the productive third inning.

Washburn brought in one run in the fourth and another in the fifth to start closing the Jet's lead, 13-10.

Singling up the middle for the Jet's first batter in the bottom of the fifth was Williams. Another single from Engrav advanced Williams to second. With two on base for Newman, Robulack homered to left field scoring three runs, and bringing the score to 16-10 after the fifth.

Earning the run for the Jets in the sixth was Cowan, who reached on a throwing error by the Ichabods. A double from Longmore brought Cowan in for the Jets' last run of the game.

Washburn reduced the seven point lead scoring three runs in the eighth, which included a two run homerun by David Wade. One more run was added in the ninth to end the game, 17-14.

Eric Hansen pitched the win, allowing four runs off six hits. There was a total of 39 hits between the two teams; Washburn with 17 and Newman with 22. The five players that hit .600 and above for the Jets were seniors Williams, Engrav, Palmer, Robulack, and Bonebrake.

The win brings Newman's overall record to 14-19. The Jets will return to action Friday against conference opponent Oklahoma Panhandle State in Goodwell, Okla.